September 19, 2022
Texas A&M Forest
Service’s Lone Star State Handcrew among fire personnel mobilized to support
out-of-state wildfire response
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Last week, a Texas A&M Forest wildfire
handcrew was mobilized to the Cedar Creek Fire in Oregon. This 20-person crew
is supporting the Willamette National Forest on the wildfire burning more than 112,000-acres.
The Lone Star State Type II Initial Attack Handcrew is
comprised of highly skilled and well-trained individuals from all divisions of
the Texas A&M Forest Service. This is the third year in a row the handcrew
has mobilized for wildfire response in another state.
“Mobilizing the handcrew to out-of-state incidents provides
an opportunity for qualified personnel and trainees to gain unique experiences,”
said Crockett Pegoda, Crew Boss Trainee for the Lone Star State Handcrew. “In
Texas, we were fortunate to receive support from other states this year. It’s
great that we can reciprocate that support.”
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are 94
large fires burning across the United States with more than 15,000 wildland
firefighters and support personnel committed to these incidents.
Thirty-four Texas A&M Forest Service personnel are responding
to wildfire incidents in California, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
In addition to the handcrew, two engine crews and multiple support
personnel are supporting wildfires in other states. All resources will complete
an assignment lasting 14 to 21 days before returning to Texas.
Since Jan. 1, state, federal and local firefighters, including
Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, have responded
to 9,481 wildfires for 638,540 acres burned across Texas. During what became
the most significant wildfire season since 2011, Texas A&M Forest Service
mobilized more than 4,400 firefighters and support staff from across the nation
to support the state’s response.
“We received a tremendous amount of support from land
management and forestry agencies across the country during an extended fire
season,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “Sending our
personnel to incidents outside Texas not only ensures that states have essential
personnel and resources to manage their incidents but also provides crucial
training opportunities for our staff, allowing us to increase our capacity in
Texas.”
The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group moved the
National Preparedness Level to 3 out of 5, as multiple states experience
wildfire activity with a large commitment from national resources.
The state of Texas moved to Level 1 on Sept. 6 due to rainfall
through the end of August and a significant decrease in wildfire activity
across the state. Wildfire potential across the state remains low.
Texas A&M Forest Service is dedicated to protecting
Texas’ residents and natural resources from wildfire and all-hazard incidents,
even as national activity increases. The agency continues to monitor conditions
and assess needs locally.
For current conditions and wildfire outlook, read the Texas
Fire Potential Outlook at https://bit.ly/3kemhbG.
For additional information on the Texas A&M Forest
Service Lone Star State Type II Initial Attack Hand Crew, visit https://bit.ly/LSSHandCrew.
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Texas A&M
Forest Service Contacts:
Public Information
Officer, 979-255-0591, information@tfs.tamu.edu
Communications
Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu